Noob question on Akido styles

[Leksikon]

This has probably been asked previously, but I didn't see any obvious threads on the topic and nothing listed in the FAQ being built up top. So...

What is the relevance/differences on each style of Akido? As someone completely new to MA in general with little prior knowledge, what should I be able to expect from each style (or, as a noob, would I even be able to notice any differences at this point)? I'm not looking for "the best" or "the worst" or anything like that, just trying to learn as much as I can before I begin instruction.

I'm currently trying to locate a school in my area and I'm not terribly concerned with anything other than the school itself, the instructor, and the other students. But can someone help me understand the differences between styles? In my area, I have seen: Seidokan, Jiyushinkai, Kokikai, Shin Shin Toitsu, and Aikikai listed as styles offered by the local schools. So, to a true noob, what does that all mean? :D

[Budd]

Hiya,

I'll give a brief synopsis (and admit to a degree of bias) regarding the choices you've listed -- and bear in mind these are generalizations, individual dojos may and will likely vary:

Aikikai - governed by Moriteru Ueshiba, the grandson of founder, Morihei Ueshiba, and the largest aikido group in the world. Tends to be among the more passive aikido groups, with an emphasis on O-Sensei (Morihei Ueshiba)'s vision of peaceful reconciliation.

Shin Shin Toitsu (Ki-Society) - Founded by Koichi Tohei, the only student of Morihei Ueshiba's to be promoted to 10th dan. Tends to place an emphasis on the development of ki.

Seidokan - Founded by one of Tohei's students, Roderick Kobayashi. Similar principles to Ki-Society.

Kokikai - Founded by Shuji Maruyama, also appears to be concerned with the development of ki.

Jiyushinkai - Founded by Chuck Clark, a high level aikidoka and judoka, and appears to have some relation to Shodokan/Tomiki Aikido, which combines aspects of judo and aikido. I've personally heard glowing endorsements of Chuck Clark's stuff from some of the most respected non-Japanese (but have spent time in Japan and attained ranks and licenses in both gendai, like aikido and judo, and koryu) budo practitioners in the United States.

Hope this helps.

[Budd]

So, keeping that in mind, my recommendation would be to visit each school, observe a class, and then choose what looks like it might be the best fit.

[master35]

hiya sir leksikon,

so what MA did you choose?
what where you looking for to learn in aikido?

[Tomiki Ryu]

Tomiki Aikido - style of Aikido


Tomiki Aikido is the style of Aikido founded by Professor Kenji Tomiki （富木謙治）. It is sometimes referred to as "Sport Aikido" due to the fact that it is the only style of Aikido to hold regular competitions. It is also sometimes called Shodokan Aikido after its Hombu Dojo, Shodokan. It places more emphasis on free-form randori sparring than most other styles, and has some Judo influence.

There are two forms of randori in Tomiki Aikido: toshu and tanto. Toshu randori is barehanded, and both aikidoka are expected to perform techniques on one another and attempt to resist and counter each other's techniques. In tanto randori, there is a designated attacker (tanto) and a designated defender (tori). The attacker attempts to stab the defender with a fake knife (usually rubber or stuffed), while the defender attempts to throw or lock the attacker with Aikido techniques.



I took Tomiki style because of the randori, I know Aikido is a 'passive' style of MA, but that being said it's my belief that you can't tell what really works and what doesn't unless you've tried it on a fully resisting Uke. It's very easy to say, "I am going to attack you in this manner and I want you to apply this technique." Whole different ball of wax when somebodys trying to resist you. Aikido has some real gems but like any MA it has alot of crap thrown in too, imo randori helps you sort through the crap and see what will work in real life application.

[Leksikon]

hiya sir leksikon,

so what MA did you choose?
what where you looking for to learn in aikido?
Got sucked out of town the morning after I posted that and just got back so haven't had time to make any plans yet but have visits set up for this week so I can see a couple classes in progress and decide from there.

As far as what I'd like to learn... well, good question. I suppose the main reasons are a fascination with the philosophies/spiritual/mental aspect of the art and a new form of physical excersize. It helps that with my current schedule I don't have time for rock climbing anymore (hate indoor climbing) and most of the schools in my area hold classes almost exclusively in the evenings anyway.

Budd and Tomiki, thanks very much for the informative posts.

[master35]

ya man. me practiced this because love to see people tombling down when thrown. didn't know i got to be thrown first b4 i could throw others. wheheheheh!!!!

[Topher]

What about Iwama Ryu. Can anyone give some info on this.

[Leksikon]

Found this site while I was looking for more info for myself, no clue how accurate it is as I just don't have much experience. Might be helpful though, the site is http://www.aikidoaus.com.au/dojo/docs/styles.htm

"Iwama-ryu
While still a part of the Aikikai, the style taught by Morihiro Saito, based in the Iwama dojo, is generally considered sufficiently stylisticly different from mainstream Aikikai that it is named individually.

Saito-sensei was a long time uchi-deshi of O-sensei, beginning in 1946 and staying with him through to his passing in 1969. Many consider that Saito-sensei was the student who spent most time directly studying with O-Sensei. Saito-sensei says he is trying to preserve and teach the art exactly as it was taught to him by the Founder. In doing so, he has systematised and clearly organised the techniques of the founder into a well-structured and easy to learn training curriculum. The technical repertoire is larger than in most other styles and a great deal of emphasis is placed on weapons training. Training begins with solid, strong basics emphasising development of kokyu power, with the variations and flowing techniques taught at a more advanced stage."

[Picksey]

What about yoshikan? Is that the style that the Japanese Riot Police train in, or is that something completely different...???

[ziseez]

hey this is off subject but my sensei studied with chuck clark :)